KUCHING: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is doing its jobs, said its Sarawak region director First Admiral (Maritime) Robert Teh Geok Chuan.
In a rebuttal of a statement by Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing yesterday alleging “brazen and arbitrary” entry of foreign vessels in Bintulu waters, Teh said MMEA has conducted and will continue to conduct operations and surveillance against such foreign vessels.
“MMEA Sarawak had conducted a series of foreign fishing vessel captures, particularly from Vietnam, which had trespassed and illegally obtained Malaysian sea produce.
“The vessels that were intercepted were seized, investigated, and charged in court,” he said. According to the director, MMEA Sarawak has recorded eight seizures of foreign fishing vessels this year alone. In addition, it has conducted 7,711 examinations of every boat and ship in the state’s waters thus far.
“We have never taken lightly any complaint or grievance voiced by local fishermen, despite constraints faced,” Teh said.
“Even with these limiting factors, MMEA Bintulu zone has successfully carried out ten arrests which involved many types of offences in Bintulu waters,” he said.
Teh also stated that MMEA has taken the initiative to collaborate with local fishermen, resulting in several arrests from March to June this year.
“These operations that have been executed have been very fruitful in that every time one is carried out, a successful arrest will follow.”
He further elaborated on a series of dialogues arranged whereby MMEA Miri zone will hold a dialogue programme with fishermen on July 5.
